State Police investigating detective in Karen Read murder case

One of the lead investigators in the Karen Read murder case is now under investigation himself, Massachusetts State Police confirmed. 

“The MSP have opened an internal investigation into a potential violation of Department policy by Trooper Michael Proctor,” a State Police spokesperson said in a statement. “Trooper Proctor remains on full duty.”

The spokesperson did not specify the nature of the alleged violation, nor did he confirm whether there’s any connection to Read’s case.

The 44-year-old is accused of hitting her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, with her SUV and leaving him to die outside a fellow Boston officer’s home in Canton on Jan. 29, 2022. Lawyers for the Mansfield woman have alleged a widespread coverup, asserting that O’Keefe was actually beaten inside the home. 

The defense team targeted Proctor during a court hearing Tuesday, alleging that Proctor had an undisclosed personal relationship with the family of Brian Albert, who owned the home where O’Keefe’s body was found.

Defense attorney Alan Jackson pointed to a text message in which Proctor allegedly discussed having Albert’s sister-in-law babysit for him 10 days before O’Keefe was killed. According to Jackson, Proctor’s sister also texted the trooper a few days after O’Keefe’s death to tell him that Albert’s sister-in-law wanted to give Proctor a thank-you gift “when all this is over.” 

Jackson said the text messages came to light during a federal investigation into Read’s case. Proctor, he said, reportedly admitted before a federal grand jury that he knows the Alberts and has socialized with them.

Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally asserted that Albert’s sister-in-law did not end up babysitting for Proctor.

Prosecutors have repeatedly rejected the defense team’s claims that Proctor had close ties to the Alberts. In a rare video statement last August, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey declared that Proctor “had no close personal relationship with any of the parties involved in the investigation, had no conflict, and had no reason to step out of the investigation. Every suggestion to the contrary is a lie.” 

Asked how the State Police internal affairs investigation could impact the prosecution in Read’s case, the DA’s office referred to the MSP statement and declined to comment further. 

Read’s lawyers filed a motion Wednesday requesting information from the State Police Internal Affairs Unit, according to online court records. It was not immediately clear what information they’re seeking; the defense has asked Judge Beverly Cannone to seal the motion.

Read’s supporters are also planning to protest outside the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office in Canton at 3 p.m. Thursday in light of recent developments in the high-profile case.